The BBC has revealed that it is “actively considering” concerns around a rape joke made by Vittorio Angelone, the star of forthcoming sitcom Rewarding.
Earlier today, the Irish comedian apologised for his comments about the sexual assault of public figure Rebecca Goodwin, who is currently going through a rape trial.
Angelone, 30, referred to the influencer’s rape during an appearance on Have a Word podcast. After becoming aware of the remarks, Goodwin said in a video: "I understand comedy and things can be laughed at, but this is one of the hardest things I've ever been through in my life and I'm not exaggerating and it just hurts. It's not funny and he's not funny.”
In the wake of Goodwin’s response, which went viral on TikTok, Angelone shared a statement on the subject, in which he apologised and branded himself “completely pathetic”. He added that he is “grateful” to have been called out.
“I made a joke that I shouldn't have made and I’d like to say sorry. The joke referenced sexual violence. At the very least, I should have run the joke past the person mentioned and then still not told it because it isn't funny.
He continued: “I let my need for validation supersede my own standards and morals. It's completely pathetic and I'm ashamed to realise that myself.”
Angelone said that he prides himself “on being able to talk about difficult topics and make them funny” and that, while he “stands behind plenty of jokes that people have criticised”, this was “not one of those jokes”.
He added that he had apologised to Goodwin directly.
“I'm so sorry to all the people who are rightly upset by the joke. I know that's not going to make it OK, but I'm still sorry. I am not apologising in the hopes that this all blows over. I'm apologising because that's what you should do when you realise you've done something wrong.
“I'm grateful to you for calling me out and making me realise where I should've done better. Sometimes you need a lot of people telling you that you f***ed up to realise that you f***ed up. I will do better in the future.”
Meanwhile, a spokesperson for the BBC – which is set to air Angelone’s sitcom later this year – toldThe Independent: “We are aware of the concerns that have been raised and are actively considering them, recognising their seriousness and the sensitivities involved.”
The comedy, which also stars Blue Lights’s Hannah McClean, follows a pair of support workers as they attempt to do their best to care for their clients.
Goodwin has become a regular on the podcast circuit, discussing her experiences posting on OnlyFans.
Meanwhile, Angelone made headlines earlier this year when he mocked former Conservative MP Penny Mordaunt on The Last Leg, provoking a heated exchange over her defence‑industry comments and her role as a disability‑project ambassador.
The Independent has contacted Goodwin and Angelone for comment.
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